Means for ornamenting



May 24, 1938.

G. AQ ATuvlr-:Rvx/uu MEANS FOR ORNAMENTING Filled May lO, 1957 3mm: v EE0/wss A -7/'NNERMAN Patented May 24, 1938l `um'rlezo sfrmss4v mmm PATE- Nr ortica orto AAlbert H. '|1innerman, Cleveland, Ohio Application May l0,- 1937, Serial No. v14ll,81ll

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and means for ornamenting a panel or similar supporting surface by the use of ornamenting objectsV made of hardened plastic or like material molded into 5 any suitable design or configuration and mounted on thesupporting surface in a new and novel manner so as to embellish the latter and create a novel and artistic appearance.

More particularly, this invention is directed to a method and means for ornamenting a panel or similar surface in the use of hardened plastic parts such as trim strips, knobs, buttons, nameplates, and like finishing objects, so formed in the molding operation as to provide means designed l5 for effective connection on such surface and adapted to be easily and quickly.. assembled and reliably held in operative position thereon;

Themanufacture and use of molded. plastic, ornamenting and trim objects has, of recent years, assumed tremendous importance in industry and is now produced by various methods unvder trade'names of Bakelite, Tenite, Catalin,

Durite, Beetle, etc.

material such as resin, shellac, celluloid, synthetic rubber, and the like. Sumcient of such plastic material is mixed with a ller, coloring matter andlubricant and placed into a mold and subjected to heat and/or pressure, or both simultaneously., The plastic mix is thus transformed into a homogeneous, solid mass which becomes hardened when subjected to a curing cycle. l

The plastic objects which may be thus produced find a wide and varied use in that almost any objject may be duplicated evento the extent of the has heretofore made it diiiicult'and in some applications prohibitiveto provide-aneflective, satisfactory, inexpensive means for securing, connectingor `mounting a plasticv trim or ornamenting object ,on a supporting surface or panel member. In the connection or mounting or hardened plastic parts to supporting members of different 55 material such as, for example, a metal panel, it

Such molded objects have as* the main ingredient some form of thermoplastic has heretofore been necessary to provide the plas- 4tic object with some form of screw-threaded fastening mean's such as threaded metallic inserts molded into the plastic parts, screw threaded .but due to its extreme hardnessfa plastic object is also relatively brittle, and 'will therefore crack and break under any concentrated blow or impact.

It has been found that threaded metallic inserts 15 molded with the plastic parts are objectionable and expensive in that they make for lincreased shipping weight and require longer'curing cycles for hardening; also, metallic inserts involve added costs in that they require the use of special forms and molding equipment .to insure that the plastic composition, when being flowed into the mold, will not disturb the position of the metallic insert in the completed trim object.

In the use of screw threaded fastening devices in plastic parts, a hole must be bored, the hole tapped, and the fastening device laborously threaded into the ltapped hole. This procedure is expensive in that it requires several time-consuming operations, results in the weak threads that easily cross and tend to break quickly, and which are, most often, not in proper alignment due to the infinite number oi' porous, rough spots', thinwalled gas pockets and other mold imperfections which prevent the screw threads oi' a fastening from being accurately and precisely threaded into a tapped hole in the molded object or part. I

The use of an adhesive such as cement for uniting a plastic part with a supportingmember has been found unsatisfactory in that'it tendsv to dry out quickly and works loose due to changes in atmospheric conditions and frequent handling. Then again, in employing a cement, the assembly must usually be subjected to an expensive and time-consuming. fusing operation in order toobtain a satisfactory connection of the plasticl part with the supporting member.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a method of ornamenting a supporting surface by the use of hardened plastic objects 50 provided in the molding operation with integral stud means designedfor connection tothe supporting surface to reliably mount the plastic object thereon se as to embellish such surface and create a novel Iand artistic appearance. 55j.

a supporting surface by hardened plastic trim objects mounted on such surface by fastening means adapted for engagement with integral stud elementsor the like provided on the plastic object during the molding operation thereof.

A further object aims to provide a method of ornamenting a surface by the use of plastic trim objects, such Vas moldings, trim strips, buttons, name plates, and the like, provided with integral connecting studs or projections adapted to cooperate in assembled relation withinexpensive, light-weight, securing devices comprising spring tongues, friction rings, locking collars, clamps,

clasps and the like, to which the plastic trim` objects are easily and quickly applied and reliably held in position to provide an assembly which is strong and durable in use.

A further object contemplates the provision of a method for ornamenting a surface by plastic trim objects held in position by securing means simplifying the assembly thereof on the surface and dispensing with the necessity of adhesives, cements and special operations required in the application and use of the common screw-threaded type fastening means such as threaded metallic inserts and drive screws.

A still further object is to provide a method for ornamenting a surface by plastic trim objects having integral, rigid, connecting studs or projections to which securing means are readily applied to permanent engagement in the assembly thereof on the supporting surface and which cannot be disconnected without destruction of the securing means and/or mutilating the connecting stud.

A more specific object is for a method of. ornamenting in the use of plastic trim objects provided with integral connecting studs of suitable design to which fastening means such as clip devices, friction collars, and the like, may be readily applied for effectively mounting the same but which may be removed in a simple, expedient manner without injuring the fastening means or the connecting studs such that they may be again employed in the same or a similar assembly.

A further object is to provide a method of ornamenting a supporting surface with plastic trim objects mounted on the supporting member by one or more integral connecting studs provided on the plastic objects and cooperating with inte'- gral fastening elements deformed from the supporting member.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art as a description thereof proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawing in which like reference characters designate like parts throughout the same and in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view showing the method of ornamenting by the use vof a plastic trim' object such as a molding or trim strip mounted on a supporting surface by individual securing devices engaging integral connecting studs provided on the plastic object;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view looking from the underside of Fig. 1; l

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section view of Fig. 3 taken on line 4-4 and showing in side elevation a securing device and the engagement thereof with a connecting stud provided on the trim object;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5 5, Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 shows a securing device applied to fastening engagement with a connecting stud of such Another object is for a method of ornamenting form as to permit disconnection therefrom by relative turning movement;

Fig. 7 shows the securing device of Fig. 6 ninety degrees removed and out of fastening engagement with the connectingstud on the plastic part such that it may be disconnected therefrom;

Fig. 8 shows the method of ornamenting as embodied in an alternate construction, shown in perspective, wherein the securing means engaging the connecting studs of the trim object are provided by integral elements deformed from the supporting member, parts of the supporting member being broken away to illustrate the elements of the securing means;

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of an assembly showing the trim object in applied position on the supporting member, shown in section;

Fig. 10 is a bottom plan of Fig. 9 showing the fastening engagement of the integral securing means on the support with the integral connecting studs of the plastic trim objects;

Fig. l1 is a section of Fig. 10 taken on line lI-II, showing the integral securing elements in side elevation; and,

Fig. 12 is a sectional view Fig. 10.

In carrying out the method of this invention the plastic objects are constructed of any desired design, shape, or configuration of suitable crosssection. Preferably, an object has at least one face which is substantially fiat or of such contour as to seat flush with the surface of the supporting member. The plastic objects are provided with projections or connecting studs adapted for use with securing devices in the form of clip fastenings, friction collars, rings, clasps, or the like, which may be easily and quickly applied to engage the connecting studs whereby the plastic object is reliably mounted in desired position. The connecting studs are suitably disposed on the plastic object either by providing integral hubs or bosses which are ground, machined or otherwise finished to produce the desired connecting studs, or by so designing the mold form such that integral connecting studs of desired shape and form are provided on the finished plastic object when taken from the mold.

It has been found that the latter method of providing integral connecting studs on the plastic object during the molding operation is most practical, involves little or no added cost or expense, and requires no time-consuming finishing operations for the plastic object.

A completed plastic object provided with suitably disposed connecting studs is mounted upon along line I2-I2 of a supporting surface by providing properly spaced openings through which the connecting studs may pass to seat the plastic object flush with a face thereof in assembled relation, whereupon securing means in the form of spring tongues, yieldable jaws, clips, friction collars, rings, clamps, clasps, or the like, are effective to engage the projecting portions of the connecting studs at the opposite face of the support to maintain the plastic object in applied position in assembled relation thereon.

Referring to the drawing, Figs. 1-5 inclusive show the method of ornamenting a supporting surface S in the use of a plastic object P such as a molding or trim strip provided with integral connecting studs 'I, 2, 3 passing through perforations in the supporting member S, and held rmly in applied position by individual securing devices such as clips having one or more yieldable tongues or friction grip elements which may flex transversely of the plane of the supporting member to permit the connecting studs to be,

advanced to such position as to seat the plastic object flush with the adjacent face of the supporting member.

As shown particularly in Fig. 2, the securing devices may be in the form of locking members II] each comprising a section of metal including yieldable tongues II, I2 which may flex and be forced apart when a connecting stud is introduced therebetween and thus caused to assume opposing, substantially inclined positions as shown in Fig. 4 to frictionally and grippingly engage the associated connecting stud of the plastic object. Preferably the tongues II, I2 of .the securing devices are notchedat their extremities as at I3, lll, Fig. 2, to provide sharp jaws adapted to bite into the connecting studs under tension, to substantially lock in applied position. Thus, any attempt to withdraw a connecting stud from the locking tongues will be tenaciously resisted by the tensioned tongues due to their inclined positions in a direction opposed to reverse movement of the connecting stud from applied position. In effect, any outward pull of the plastic object to remove a connecting stud from the tensioned tongues causes the jaws thereof to bite deeper into the body of the hardened plastic connecting stud. To increase the resiliency of the securing device as a whole, and particularlyto insure an inherent resiliency in the yieldable tongues, the base of the securing device may be arched or dished as shown in Fig. 4 such that any play or looseness which may develop in the assembly will be compensated for and taken up by the added resiliency thus obtained by the arched base and the inherently resilient tongues. It will therefore be seen that after having thus been mounted on a supporting member, a plastic object cannot be removed without mutilating, deforming or oth-erwise injuring the securing devices and damaging the connecting studs such that they are unfit for use in the same or a similar assembly. If desired, the individual securing devices may be permanently attached to the back of a supporting member by any expedient means such as riveting, spot-welding, etc., such that the assembly ofa plastic object with the supporting member is facilitated and greater security of the plastic object against shifting from assembled position is obtained.

Although the securing devices are shown as comprising substantially flat sections of relatively thin metal, preferably spring-steel, and provided with yeldable friction tongues deformed from the plane of such sections, it is fully intended as within the scope of this invention, that the securing devices be constructed from any other suitable material, such as sheet metal, cold rolled metal, sections of papier-mch, and the like, and made in such form as to engage the integral connecting studs on a plastic object in the manner of friction collars, locking rings, clips, clamps, clasps, etc. This invention also comprehends in the method outlined, the use of connecting studs of any desired cross-section and, if expedient or desirable, provided with shoulders, abutments, grooves, etc. cooperating with elements of the securing means in tending to resist withdrawal and preventing removal of a plastic object from its applied position on a supporting member.

It will quite readily be recognized that the form of securing devices shown embodied in the method of this invention are inexpensive, simple, durable, light in weight, and easily and quickly applied to fastening position by reason of the yieldable friction tongues which, initially, present a substantial socket and subsequently flex to permit the connecting stud to be advanced to home position whereupon they are effective toV grippingly engage and frictionallyretain the stud in applied position. The yieldable 'property of the tongues allows them to serve substantially as spring tongues in which relation they are adapted for us'e with connecting studs of different diameters and various cross-sections in addition to providing a substantially positive locked mounting of a plastic object in assembled relation on a supporting member.

Figs. 6 and 7 show the method as embodied in an alternate construction wherein the plastic object is removable from its mounting on a supporting member. In this form, the connecting studs 5, on a plastic object P' are provided with reduced or cutaway portions 6 which in normal application of the securing devices, does not affect the eiciency or holding ability thereof through the yieldable friction tongues II, I2,

vsubstantially as set forth with reference to Figs.

1-5 inclusive. However, upon turning movement of a securing device relative to the associated connecting stud to the posibion'substantially as shown in Fig. 7, the extremities of the tongues I I, I2 are disposed out of fastening engagement with the connecting stud by reason of the reduced portion 6, whereupon the securing device is removable and the plastic object may be disconnected from its mounting on the supporting member S.

Figs. 8-12 inclusive show another embodiment of the method wherein the use of individual securing devices is dispensed with and securing means in the form of integral, friction tongue elements, or the like, are stuck from the supporting member such as to frictionally and grippingly engage the connecting studs of a plastic object applied thereto. As shown in Fig. 8, the securing means for engaging the connecting stud may comprise one or more yieldable tongues 2I, 22, deformed from the supporting member S' in such manner as to permit introduction of the connecting studs Ia., 2a, therebetween, and to frictionally and grippingly engage the same to mount the plastic object P" in its applied position iiush with the supporting member S substantially as shown in Fig. 9. Preferably the tongues 2|, 22 are notched to provide jaws which bite into the connecting studs in locked relation thereto substantially as in the embodiment of the invention in which individual securing devices are employed. In the same manner, any attempt to withdraw al connnecting stud from applied position will be resisted by the tongues 2|, 22, Fig. l1, and will result in the same Abiting deeper into the connecting stud and becoming more firmly embedded therein by reason of their inherent resiliency.

From the foregoing it will be seen that all embodiments of the method of this invention comprehend connecting studs suitably provided on the plastic object in accordance with its contour, configuration, cross-section, etc., in addiprising spring tongues, yieldable jaws, friction rings, locking collars, clamps, clasps, and the like, designed for ready engagement with connecting studs on plastic objects to maintain the same in their assembled relation on a supporting member and to tenaciously resist any loosening or movement of the connecting studs toward withdrawal, or disconnection of the plastic object from applied, assembled relation on the supporting member.

In another relation the instant method teaches the use of individual simple, inexpensive securing devices easily and quickly applied to con- -necting studs provided on a plastic object to reliably mount the same on a supporting member In a further relation, individual securing devices are employed forengaging a connectingstud so designed as to permit removal of the securing devices if desired.

It will be further appreciated that the method parent to those skilled in the art. Hence the invention is to be understood as limited only as indicated in the appended claims and not by the foregoing description.

What is claimed is:

l. In the art of ornamenting, means for ornamenting a supporting surface comprising, hardened plastic trim material formed to the selected decorative conguration with an integral connecting stud having a cutaway portion and receivable in an opening in the supporting surface, and securing means comprising a yieldable element engaging the stud at points other than the said cutaway portion to prevent loosening and I create an artistic appearance, said connecting stud being removable from applied position upon relative movement disposing said yieldable element of the securing means in the area ot the said cutaway portion thereof.

2. In the art of ornamenting, means for ornamenting a supporting surface comprising, hardened plastic trim material formed to the selected decorative configuration with an'integralconnecting stud having a cutaway portion and receivable in an opening in the supporting surface. and a securing device comprising cooperating relatively yieldable elements frictionally and grippingly engaging the stud at points other. than the said cutaway portion to prevent loosening and reverse movement thereof from applied position thereby retaining the plastic trim material on the supporting surface-to embellish the same and create an artistic appearance, said connecting stud being removable from applied position upon-relative movement disposing one' of said yieldable elements of the securing device in the area of the said cutaway portion thereof.

GEORGE A. TJNNERMAN.' 

